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LIBRARY OF CONGRESS. 






UNITED STATES OF AMERICA. 



SEA MOSS 



SEA MOSS 



POEMS 



DR. LUCY CREEMER PECKHAM 




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BUFFALO 

CHARLES WELLS MOULTON 
1891 



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Copyright, 

1890, 

By Dr. Lucy Creemer Peckham. 



PRINTED BY 

C. W. MOULTON, 

BUFFALO, N. Y. 



THIS LITTLE BOOK IS AFFECTIONATELY 
DEDICATED TO MY HUSBAND, 

JOHN A. PECKHAM, 

THROUGH WHOSE LOVE AND SYMPATHY 

I HAVE ACCOMPLISHED ITS 

PRODUCTION, 



PREFACE. 

Dear Reader: If I need an excuse for 

issuing this little volume, the only one I have 
to offer is, that the thoughts, hopes and aspira- 
tions, for which I have here tried to find a 
voice, are those which have given me courage 
to live. Yes, more, they have made me in 
love with life, just as I have found it. 

I have not had skill to fully attune my in- 
strument with the divine harmonies, of which 
we all form some ideal, but I have done my 
best with the powers I possess, hoping my 
reader may perceive the meaning through my 
imperfectly spoken words. 

If such shall be the result, I shall not have 
sent the book on a useless mission. 
Respe6lfully, 

The Author. 



CONTENTS. 

PAGE 

Preface 5 

Sea Moss 9 

The Old, Old Story ii 

At the Shore i8 

H. H ' 19 

Burnt Matches 21 

A Wedding Ring 22 

A Christmas Secret 23 

Knitted Work 26 

The Feast of Lights 28 

"Ephphatha" ■ 30 

The Two Commandments 32 

Loving 34 

Faith ' 36 

Unavailing 37 

Why ? 38 

Fulfilling the Law 39 

Surrender 41 

Come Thou to Me ! 42 

A Captured Butterfly 43 

Edith 45 

Love 46 

Evolution 47 

A Love Story 50 



8 CONTENTS. 

Queen Vashti 53 

Fancy Free 56 

Worship 58 

Earth's Blessed Ones 59 

Promises 61 

Encouragement 63 

Our Heritage 65 

To-day 67 

Barren Days 69 

In Memoriam 70 

Renunciation 72 

Divination ' 74 

Leaves .76 

My Friend 77 

In Part Only 79 

The Unhonored Prophet 81 

Not by Bread Alone 84 

"Trust in Me" 86 

Small Duties 88 



SEA MOSS. 

IN the billowy deeps, down under the sea, 
Where, hid from the eye of humanity 
Sleep the secrets of ages, bright sea mosses grow, 
And the ocean's tides in their ebb and flow. 
As they sway and sweep o'er the rocky bed. 
Now stomi-lashed to fury, now calm as the dead, 
Safely cover and guard their deep, wonderful home 
With smooth, lustrous waves or with furious foam. 
While deep in the caverns the strange sea-life 
Fearful with power, or with rare beauty rife. 
Hides and is fashioned in myriad shapes; 
While scarcely a secret to man escapes. 
Yet he, in his tiny round of time. 
Would dive to the depths, as he fain would climb 
The shining ether and mount to the stars 
To circle their orbits with Saturn and Mars. 
For he seeks to solve that wonderful force 
That governs and holds in its chains his course: 
And he feels in his soul that the ebb and the flow. 
The rush and retard of the tides as they go 
Are like to his own heaving ocean of thought. 
Whose waves like billows, with mightiness fraught, 
Leap up just to break on some desolate shore, 
And be ever forced back by a mystical power. 
But the waves, now and then, bring up from the 

deep, 
From its bed on the rocks where the sea-urchins 
sleep, 

B 



lo SEA MOSS. 

A fragment of Sea Moss to lay on the shore; 

A tribute of truth from the treasure-house store. 

Only a fragment wrenched out of its place, 

Its life-beauty lost, and vanished its grace; 

Dead, tangled sea- weed, it looks, lying there. 

As if it had never with beauty a share. 

Only a fragment ! but what of the rest 

That lies hidden deep in the old ocean's breast, — 

Its being, living and clinging so strong 

That the waves, sweeping by, cannot bear it along ? 

A story of life that dead sea-weed tells. 
The soul searching truth must seek where it dwells, 
Must risk even life, would he find it, and know 
For himself how 'tis fashioned below; 
All the rush, the turmoil, and sweep and the roar 
Of the waves that so recklessly break on the shore. 
He must honor the tiniest grains of sand: 
For with these is lifted the barrier band 
Staying the waves in their headlong course — 
Yet the waves are but drops in a separate source — 
The adding of atoms lifts up the hills; 
The clinging of atoms forms all the rills; 
The blending of atoms creates the light; 
While atoms of thought shape the wrong or the 
right. 

Grasping the rock the Sea Moss grows, 
Holding it firmly, securely and close; 
It lives and thrives in the depths at peace. 
Yet the ocean's wild surging never will cease. 
And what to the dulled human ear is a moan. 
Hath, for it, no doubt, some pure, sweet tone; 
It hears and answers by mute caress. 
While it brightens to lovelier loveliness. 



THE OLD, OLD STORY. ii 



THE OLD, OLD STORY. 

THROUGH countless years the heart of man 
Has trembling sought to find some plan 
By which this restless soul might rise, 
Find and redeem. Earth's Paradise. 
In shadow, doubt, by sin beset, 
His good intent, by evil met 
And conquered o'er and o'er again, 
Till the whole world writhes, mad with pain. 

Whence comes our help ? O, Earth, so fair! 
Bathed in thy viewless sea of air, 
Hast thou no balm in all thy flowers. 
To soothe, and calm this ache of ours ? 
Deep hidden can thy caves reveal 
No altar, at which man may kneel, 
And shrive his soul, and go his way. 
Deathless and happy, free and gay, 
Beloved and loving, tender, true. 
Unharmed by sin's malarial dew. 
That checks his pulses, stifles breath, 
And gives his great love o'er to death ? 

Wise men, far in the misty past, 

Believed such good must come at last. 

And left the records of their hope. 

That coming years, at length, might cope 

Successful, with the mighty ill. 

When death should fall, and life should fill 



12 SEA MOSS. 

The eternal with its boundless bliss. 
They slept, yet still the low winds kiss 
Their graves, and man, persistent, seeks 
His sinless, painless Paradise, and weeps. 

Early, the good Confucius saw 

The hidden treasure in one law: 

"If to thy brother thou shalt do 

No deed he may not unto you. 

To Earth shall come the reign of peace, 

And all the woes of mortals cease." 

Saved by the grace of Love alone! 
This was the great law's undertone. 
But Love grew slowly, men still wept, 
And left the wise man's law unkept. 

Then Buddha came, with spirit true, 
And he essayed this law to do. 
Men smiled and pitied, then adored; 
Then millions called sweet Buddha, Lord. 

Slowly the swarming world crept on. 
And Egypt basked beneath the sun; 
Absorbed its rays of glorious light, 
Till her dark majesty and might 
Loomed up in temples, crypts, and shrines; 
She reads in Heaven's illumined signs 
The oracles of mightier powers, 
Holding the fate of spheres like ours. 
Her rainless days and cloudless night 
With the low hanging stars alight, 
Sweep on, till ruined Egypt lies, 
Prone on her sands; and still the cries 



THE OLD, OLD STORY. 13 

Of men go up for help, for pity, and for love, 
While her unanswering Sphinx above 
The sands, rears its majestic head; 
Only a might>^ monument of Egypt, dead. 

Thus reads thy fate! Thy low stars shine. 
Silent, alike, upon thy tomb and shrine; 
The world inquires thy mission; all we know 
Is, that within thy gardens once did grow 
A marvelous mind within a modest man, 
Whose life revealed again, the olden plan. 
That human love and sacrifice must lead 
To those fair fields where hearts do never bleed. 

While Egypt's mystic majesty in awe 

Held all humanity, fair Persia saw 

A sun arise, clothing the earth with fire. 

And filling all her heart with rapt desire 

To swell the praises of this glorious God, 

The source of life, of light, the great I Am, 

Whose throne is in the skies! His oriflamme 

Of splendor the mightiest monarchs puts to shame. 

He rules supreme the King of kings, his name. 

The fair Earth pregnant by his beams alone. 

Teems with her myriad lives where they have shone. 

He fills the human heart with latent fire. 

Till it's consumed in worshipful desire. 

"From darkness into light; from night to day, 

Behold the Glorious One, who leads the way! 

So Evil, must at last be overcome 

By mightier Good ! ' ' the great Zoroaster sung. 

While Egypt's fate in oracles was read. 
And Persia by her oriflamme was lead, 



14 SEA MOSS. 

Greece with fair nymphs and naiads filled her vales 
And that grand bard, blind Homer, told his tales 
Of peopled wood and mountain, stream and glade 
Where unseen forces, never ceasing, swayed 
The lives of men. Zeus, Juno and Apollo were 
A trinity no evil might deter 
From seeking everywhere for good 
To bless both men and gods howe'er they could. 

Here Clio offered her half-opened scroll 
Wherein was writ' the history of the soul 
That still was seeking, never finding, -rest; 
Longing to be, but never being blest. 
Here Echo's voice, throughout the hill and vale, 
Laments her slighted love. 

The selfsame tale, 
Told o'er again, in language new and old: 
" I love, if ye love not again, my heart grows cold. 
I sicken, fade, and pine, till only sounds remain. ' ' 
Yet, over all the Earth reverberates the strain: 
" Love, only love, can satisfy my pain." 

Now, in a time long past, up out of Egypt's heart, 
Went forth a tribe of men, the world awhile forgot. 
But on the plains of ancient Palestine, 
They reared, at length, a temple and a shrine. 
Theirs was a God unseen, yet He, alone. 
Created Heaven and Earth, and was but One. 
All power was vested in His mighty Will; 
All life in Him had centre; naught could kill 
His chosen messengers of light and truth. 
Which He revealed clothed in eternal youth. 
Prophet and priest He chooses where He will, 
None may refuse, all must His law fulfill. 



THE OLD, OLD STORY. 15 

He brooks no faltering, favors no delay, 
The nations do His bidding, all a tribute pay. 
To stay His purpose, vainly Egypt tries. 
While from her plains go up the anguished cries 
Of men oppressed, and boundless pity's claim. 
Then, Moses leads his brethren in God's name, 
Through their Red Sea, and Wilderness of Woe, 
To heights where his rapt vision sees below 
The outspread plains of the long promised lands, 
Whose fruits shall ripen 'neath their faithful hands. 
There, for long years, Jehovah is His name; 
There Egypt's whilom slaves His majesty proclaim; 
Moons wax and wane, the nations rise and fall, 
King follows king, Jehovah crowns them all. 
And when to Him they rear the temple's dome. 
And fain would think that there He finds a home. 
His prophets say, He is not worshiped so; 
He lives in contrite hearts, where grief for other's 

woe 
Finds harborage; this is His dwelling place; 
He has no other anywhere in space; 
Yet, is He ever>'where; in utmost bound 
Of all creation is His presence found. 
The darkness of deep hell cannot His face conceal. 
Nor all the light of Heaven its loveliness reveal. 
Thus did His prophets speak. His psalmists sing, 
Until the whole wide worid came wondering 
To seek for proof in book and legend, where 
The learned men had written with great care. 
Their stories of the heroes of the worid. 
Perchance, it might be, something would unfold 
The secret of the riddle; but they saw 
Only the same old underlying law: 
"Love ye each other; this shall ease your pain, 



i6 SMA MOSS. 

Thus, only, shall ye Paradise regain." 

" My servants have been yours," Jehovah saith; 

"But prophet, priest and king have suffered death; 

Now will I send my best beloved Son; 

Look, and be like Him, the Immortal One; 

Watch ye His Hfe, record each word and deed, 

And it shall serve your deepest, utmost need. ' ' 

Upon the plains of Palestine one night. 
Some wandering shepherds saw a radiant light. 
While stars and angels sang of David's Son, 
To their rapt souls, and called "The Blessed One;" 
A new-born babe whose life should bring 
To Israel's fainting heart, its Saviour, and its 
King. 

Time grew apace. The Child's unfolding life, 

True, sweet and pure, was spent in holy strife 

To win to purity of deed and thought, 

By loving trust, those who His counsel sought. 

His tender love looked deeper than our eyes. 

There was for Him no wonder no surprise. 

Love opened Heaven, revealed the thought of God; 

Pain was no longer pain; sorrow no more the rod 

To punish sinners, but the electric band 

Linking each throbbing heart, each trembling hand. 

Life's sacrifice was joy. 'Twas highest bliss 

To die for love, though murdered with a kiss. 

* ' Forgive, "He cried, ' ' they know not what they do. 

Our Father, bless them still ! ' ' 

Oh, glorious Love to you 
Tongues must confess, and knees forever bend. 
For Thou hast conquered death! Love has no end ! 
Its circle widens with the lengthening years. 



THE OLD, OLD STORY. 17 

And deepens to receive Earth's falling tears; 

Bending above the starlit arch of blue 

To form the lens its eyes of Faith look through, 

To see its treasures on another shore, 

Where it can claim them when the struggle's o'er. 

Through Life's long ages has the human cry, 
Been love me Love! or I shall surely die. 
Till One took up the burden of the song 
And said, "Ye cannot die, Eternity is long, 
And God is love. Ye move in Him and live, 
And have all being. He alone can give 
Ye power to die. But Love must save its own; 
And ye at last shall bow before His throne; 
Shall bless each pang, rejoice for every woe. 
That taught you your humanity to know." 

Look, and believe! Truly, the Saviour lives! 
He knows love is immortal. See ! He gives 
Freely, Earth's life for its sweet sake, and wears 
The thorny crown of its betrayal. Bears 
With unfailing courage all the ills 
That hedge its utterance, until He fulfills 
Its perfect measure, holding up for men 
The treasure He has won. 

He lays life down 
That He may take it back. Its thorny crown 
In Love's great crucible has changed to gold. 
And thus, once more, is that old story told 
Of Love the Conqueror; but oh, the glad refrain, 
To give, to give, is sweeter than to gain! 
The years have paid their tribute, and they say, 
Love cannot die, his resurrection day 
Cometh each morn. Oh, glad, strong Word 
That greets each new-bom babe, as Son of God ! 



i8 SEA MOSS. 



AT THE SHORE. 

FOR MINNIE M. BURKE. 

THE waves swept up with their curling foam, 
Fluffy and white, as they broke on the strand; 
We lay on the beach to watch their flow. 
Over the pebbles that strewed the sand. 

They covered the rocks with glittering gems. 
Swinging and tumbling their salty spray, 

Then rolling out with the undertow. 

Swept backward and forward the livelong day, 

With murmuring tones from hidden deeps, 
When the song of life in her bosom wells, 

The sea sang soft to our listening hearts. 
The rhythmic story she ever tells. 

Of the life we live in the heart of God, 

Of infinite Love, of infinite Hope; 
For our souls forever at one with His will. 

Are limitless in their scope. 

The sea sang soft and low that day 

Of a new, fair life that should waken soon; 

And our hearts beat glad to the sweet refrain, 
Of the waves' bright promise that afternoon. 

August 2, 1890. 



H. H. 19 



H. H. 

IN MEMORIAM. 

OH ! Spirit, sweet and gracious, have you learned 
In your new Home, how dear you were to 
Earth? 
Can you look now into our hearts to find 
How we loved you, we women left behind 
To miss your wholesome cheer? Have you dis- 
cerned 
The loneliness we feel as reverently 
We take your gifts to us ? Do you know how 
Your Christmas Symphony its music swells 
Within our souls to lift them up toward 
'*That great tideless stream, where all our voices 
Meet and melt into the solemn silence ? ' ' 
Have you sought out your New, Old Friends, 
Whose far-off worship, earth-life never told ? 
Do you know how your courage lent us strength 
To meet and overcome a threatening fate ? 
Thou Queen of Loving Hearts! to whom the rich 
And poor alike were known; is there a tribute 
Dearer paid thy worth on Heaven's fair shore, 
Where shining ones lead thee triumphant on 
From joy to joy, than this, our lonely hearts 
Are offering, now, to thee, whose rounded life 
Enriched the name of Woman? "She loved us! " 
Through the marble door, beyond the stairway. 
And the high walls that shut us out from thee, 



20 SEA MOSS. 

We may not glance to see if thou dost smile, 
To hear the echo of thy words; but if thou dost, 
Then smile again, great soul, to hear us add 
Our own refrain. Oh, Woman, we loved Thee! 
New Haven, September, 1885. 



BURNT MATCHES. 21 



BURNT MATCHES. 

FOR S. M. C. D. 

THE joyous Christmas-tide is here again, 
And now another year, like a burnt match, 
Waits in our fingers till its ember fades. 
To be thrown, careless by, with scarce a thought. 
As like to other years, as match to match, 
And like them serving only by its flash 
And little flickering blaze, just bright enough 
For us to see the pointers on life's dial. 
And note the flight of time, when from some dream 
We wake to wonder at the lengthened night. 
What thoughts on thoughts this blackened match 

suggests 
If we but set our fancy moving on 
Into the star-flecked space, whose flashing lights 
Have all been kindled by some tiny spark! 
Where dwells this power which flashes into sight, 
Fading again in shadows of the night ? 
A tireless game of hide and seek it plays, 
Startles the vision by some forked-tongue blaze, 
Sweeps into ruin all our rose-twined bowers, 
Razes to Earth our temples and our towers; 
Yet, we still worship, while our altars fall. 
And trust that Love which shall endure through all, 
While from the blackened embers of the past, 
It wakens that new life which must forever last. 
Christmas, 1888. 



SEA MOSS. 



A WEDDING RING. 

FOR E. C. AND C. L. 

A LITTLE golden circle! When joys shall come, 
Gladdening your hearts as summer rain 
Gladdens the thirsty earth, may loving lips 
Touch reverently this token of your bond. 
Because ye joy together. And when pain^ — 
God's guardian angel in disguise — 
Hovers, as ever now and then he must. 
Above the roof that shelters all dear love. 
Oh, hold this little token closer still. 
And lean each, heart on heart, till he has passed. 
Whenever shadows deepen, ever lean 
Closer, for be sure no evil can approach 
To work you harm, except some shadow creeps 
Between your souls and steals away their light. 
Thus shall your plighted faith grow deeper. 
Sweeter, purer, and the earth enriched 
By all true lives, upon its bosom 
Shall gratefully enroll your names with those 
Good men call blessed for their pure intent! 



A CHRISTMAS SECRET. 23 



L 



A CHRISTMAS SECRET. 

FOR MABEL SHERMAN, 1885. 

ISTEN girls! Now, I haven't a doubt. 
And I'll tell you something I've just found out. 
But don't you ever, ever tell. 
Because, if you do, I'll never, — well — 
I don't think I'll ever let you know 
Anything else I'm going to do. 

You know I sleep in the little room 

Just off Mamma's. Last night in the gloom 

Of the silent night, she thought I slept. 

She came in softly, kissed me, and stepped 

Softly back to her room and Papa's, . 

But left my door a little ajar. 

I could not catch, at first, what she said, 

Though I heard my name; my face grew red; 

Then, something about Christmas. I couldn't keep 

still 
Though I tried, and tried with all my will. 
So, I finally crept right out of bed 
And up to the door and bent my head 
As I heard her tell him I wanted a ring, 
And a real French doll, and a perfect string 
Of things I'd wished for all the year. 
I shouldn't have dreamed the precious dear, 
Could have remembered half I'd said, 
But Papa just laughed and shook his head: 



24 SEA MOSS. 

" My purse won't be deep enough for them all, 

You must narrow your choice or the prices fall; 

My Santa Claus account, you know, 

Isn't quite as large as a year ago. 

But the darling shall have her doll and ring; 

Now, what do you want St. Nick to bring 

Yourself little mother?" She laughingly kissed 

him and shook her head. 
Then I cried, and shivered, and crept into bed. 
But will you believe it ? I could not go 
To sleep, for my thinking cap kept bothering so 
And I knew, — what a whirl of things I knew 
All of a sudden: and they grew, and grew. 
Till at last I saw the whole thing clear. 
Christmas comes, you see, once a year. 
And Fathers and Mothers don't want you to know 
How much they love you, for fear you will grow 
Selfish, and naughty, and may not receive, 
When they give you the best they ever can give, 
Their little gifts in a loving way. 
So they hide themselves, and carefully say: 
"It's Santa Claus brings the gifts that day." 
Then, you think, you know, it's a wonderful thing, 
And you are as happy as Queen or King, 
They only think of the joy they can give, 
For they'd make you happy as long as you live. 
And they don't seem to care for themselves a mite; 
I found that out for myself last night. 

Now what do you think I'm going to do ? 

I wouldn't want Mamma to guess it though. 

But I'm going to be good the whole year through; 

She'll wonder and ti-y to account for it all. 

But I don't want to tell, for fear I should fall 



A CHRISTMAS SECRET. 25 

A little short, sometime in the year; 
And I can't break a promise to her, that's clear. 
But next Christmas time when the presents come 
And she shows me that Santa Claus brings me some, 
I shall whisper to her my secret, and say, 
I've a Santa Claus present for her that day. 
c 



26 SEA MOSS. 



KNITTED WORK. 

FOR JULIA. 

I BOUGHT a skein of beautiful yarn, 
Smooth and soft as could be, 
And said, "I will fashion with this some charm 
To send, sweet friend, to thee. ' ' 

As my needles flew from right to left, 
Fair dreams through my fancy sped. 

With visions of lives that were brave and true, 
And I've knitted these in with the thread. 

My thought outstripped the tireless^ wind, 

And passed the horizon's bars; 
Knelt at their glistening golden gates, 

And played "at home " in the stars. 

Then it entered the dingiest cellars of earth, 

To weep with the lonely there; 
Wiping the tears from pale, sad cheeks 

Sharing their grief and care. 

I dreamed of Love, of a Passion strong 

As the wind-swept ocean's tides; 
Fathomed its sorrows, aspired with its joys, 

And learned where its Peace abides. 

And as swifter and fast the stitches grew, 
And thy spirit to mine drew near, 



KNITTED WORK. 27 

I whispered my visions right into thy heart, 
For there, there were ears to hear. 

Yet I see in the knitting some faults appear, 
There are stitches not perfectly true; 

I forgot, now and then, the work in my hand, 
I was lost so completely in you. 

Yet, the charm is there, like my earnest love, 

Homely, but warm and strong, 
And these little mistakes in the meshes show 

How even our love may go wrong. 
Deckmber, 1886. 



28 SEA MOSS. 



THE FEAST OF LIGHTS. 

WITHIN the Holy Place, faintly and dim, 
The lessening oil gave forth its odorous flame! 
To Israel's people, her temple doors were barred; 
Her gates an enemy held strong against her. 
Every heart was tense with strong emotion 
And dearly longed to feed the flickering flame, 
Lest He, to whom their prayers were offered 
Should despise their v/eakness, and avenge 
Their disregard by leaving them in darkness 
And alone. Day after day passed by. 
Battles raged fiercely, and hot. 

The bravest faltered. 
And the sorely stricken plead for mercy. 
Till at length, the dying smiled to hear 
The Temple was retaken, their fierce foe 
Overcome, and * ' God, even their own God, 
Had gotten them the victory." 

With fearful hearts 
Did Israel's priests enter the Holy Place, 
But there the lamp still burned. 

Some friendly hand 
Had daily fed its little flame until 
An Arm had strengthened Israel's weakness! 
Then a great shout rang throughout the dome ot 

Heaven, 
And Israel promised in her raptured soul, 
That thro' all time, a Feast of Lights should be, 
In token of remembrance of that Power 



THE FEAST OF LIGHTS. 29 

Which, even in darkness and despair, 
Still keeps its holy chrism alight on earth. 
That light still shines in Israel's Holy Place, 
And from its flame ten thousand lamps are lit, 
As Love, with glowing torches hastens on 
To cheer faint souls who still in darkness sit. 
December 27, 1883. 



30 SEA MOSS. 



''EPHPHATHA." 

Mark vii. 39. 

SOUL, why so silent? Hast thou not perceived 
How all the earth is vocal with its joy? 
And for the boon of life thou hast received 

Shall not one grateful word thy lips employ ? 
Hast thou not felt the sunlight's blessed warmth, 
Nor looked with rapture toward the azure sky, 
Nor seen the beauty in Earth's flower-decked robe, 
Nor fancied once what all these signify ? 

Hast thou not heard it whispered in the trees 

As leaf to leaf its brief life-story tells ? 
Nor heard the birds relate it in their songs, 

Till night and morning with the music thrills ? 
Has not the ocean's anthem moved thy blood 

To quicker pulses, nor the murmuring shells 
Caused thee to wonder at the mystic power 

That holds its echoes in their pearly cells ? 

I marvel that this wealth of vocal life 

From thee brings no response. How dumb thou 
art! 
What shall awaken thee to thought and speech ? 

What shall the current of thy feeling start? 
I long so for thy voice! — I reach my hand 

And clasp thine own — myself I give to thee! 
Canst thou not love me ? Hear my love's appeal, 

Then open thou thy Hps and answer me! 



' * EPHPHA THA. " 31 

Oh, magic touch! The pulsing tide of life 

Leaps swiftly, tingling through each nerve and 
vein, 
While cheek and eye glow with electric light, 

And lips pour forth a full melodious strain. 
Love's mighty force sweeps every barrier by, 

Opens the flood gates, fills life's fount with wine. 
Rends its dark veil and frees the fettered soul, 

To crown it with a lustre all divine. 



32 SEA MOSS. 



THE TWO COMMANDMENTS. 

Mark xii. 30-31. 

THOU Shalt love with all thy heart! " 
'Tis God's promise to thy life, 
And to feel the kindling flame 
Waits thy heart through weary strife. 

"Thou shalt love with all thy soul ! " 
God has spoken, and the word 

Echoes through the mighty dome. 
Lingering till its tones are heard. 

"Thou shalt love with all thy mind ! " 

Thy rich intellect shall bend 
And its homage gladly give. 

To its noblest, wisest Friend. 

"Thou shalt love with all thy strength! " 

Fainting with the effort now, 
Heart and soul and mind and life 

Feebly at this altar bow. 

Yet, the pure well-spring of Love, 
From the heart of God outpours; 

And, as rills and rivers swell, 
When descend the dews and showers 

So, the river of His love, 

Groweth deeper and more wide, 



THE TWO COMMANDMENTS. 33 

And its ocean circles Earth 
With a pulsing, crystal tide. 

Thou shalt clasp thy brother's hand, 

Without doubting or distrust; 
Knowing that his love is thine, 

And his judgment of thee, just. 

Thou shall yield to him thy heart. 

Freely as thy breath to Heaven, 
Asking nothing, giving all. 

And receiving as is given. 

Sweet fulfilling of the law! 

Brightest promise of His word ! 
Life with golden glory beams. 

Since this message we have heard. 

*' Thou shalt love! " so long we've wept, 
That our hearts with sorrow ache. 

We had longed to love, but never 
Loved just for sweet loving's sake. 

Now, His promise has been given 
All our fears and doubtings cease; 

God is Love, love brings to Heaven, 
Joy, and righteousness, and peace! 



34 SEA MOSS. 



LOVING. 

WHAT is loving? Is it to measure out 
Fond, honeyed words to charm the ear ? 
Is it to fold white arms about a yielding form 
And whisper softly, "Sweet, I do love you? " 
Is it to bend in flattering homage 
With the throng who crowd when victory's won ? 
To smile in sympathy when all is well ? 
To feel a pride when some fine act is done 
By one who calls us friend ? 

By evidence 
Like this may it be proven we Love ? 
Is nothing else required ? When sad-eyed grief 
And harrowing disappointment cloud the brow; 
When weak and erring, faltering in the way. 
Heart-laden and oppressed, and fain to drop 
The armor of the right, because it weighs so heavily; 
What does Love then ? Does he 
Stand idly by, with folded hands and wait 
In calm indifference to see the end ? 
Or turn away to find him other joys? 
Can he find fullness only with the strong 
And brave and comely? Oh, is it true! 
Have poverty and weakness, pain and sin, 
No friend but well-gloved Charity, who with 
Her robes held back, extends a dainty hand, 
And with full consciousness of her superior. 
Soul-chilling height above such woes as these 
Deals out her scanty alms of words and deeds ? 



LOVING, 35 

Are there no tenderer arms to clasp 

And closely hold, while there's so great a need ? 

O, Thou Omniscient, Omnipotent God ! 

Who in Thy great creation, made us men. 

Hast made to every heart some heart respond ! 

And sympathy, its kindred soul seeks out 

Claiming it for its very weakness' sake; 

While Pain clasps hands with Pain, and growing 

strong 
To conquer, or endure, still seeks relief. 
And Poverty, touched by sight of poverty. 
Her own scant robe ekes out to clothe and warm. 
Even Sin, at the sad sight of sin's great guilt 
Appealing to a greater love beneath, 
Lays down its load, and weeps and prays and rests. 
Love proves not best his grandeur in the sun 
Of fame, or wealth, or power. 'Tis proven, when 
In the dark shadow of distress and need. 
He pours with lavish hand his treasures forth. 
Studding the darkened vault of night with stars, 
New worlds of Hope and Trust and Purity! 



36 SEA MOSS. 



FAITH. 

DROP thou the seed into the earth! 
Nor longer with closed fingers idly stand; 
No genial sun or rain can ever reach 
The germ thou'rt holding shut within thy hand. 

Drop thou the seed into the earth! 

'Tis useless quite to lift closed hands to Heaven, 
Tho' thus through weary years you pray and wait, 

No other answer, save this, shall be given. 

Drop thou the seed into the earth! 

Its quickening life shall gently there unfold, 
And by a kindly bosom warmed and nursed. 

Shall bloom and bear a harvest manifold. 

Drop thou the seed into the earth! 

When that is done, a consciousness of good. 
Shall, like a blissful rest, steal over thee. 

And give thee dreams of dawning angelhood. 

Drop thou the seed into the earth! 

And know the sweetest pleasure in all lives. 
See how a miracle by thy faith is wrought; 

Earth's altar lifts to God thy sacrifice. 
April, 1876. 



UNAVAILING. 37 



UNAVAILING. 

OlSIE day up toward a shelving shore, 
A careless wave, at flood-tide crept; 
Laughing and rippling more and more. 
As near and nearer the waiting shore, 
With dance and glitter and sparkle it swept. 

At last with a touch like a kiss. 

The shore and the little wave met; 
Then the wave leapt back to the ocean's breast 
With a pain in its heart, and strange unrest, 

And the rugged shore as with tears was wet. 

O, fain would the bright little wave 
Have lingered to sport with the shore; 

With its low happy murmur to woo it; 

With its clatter and sparkle to sue it; 
And play in delight at its side evermore. 

But the little wave sobs and sighs, 

For the shore that it kissed and left; 
And though hidden deep in the ocean's breast. 
It never, no never' 11 be quite at rest, 
And the shore is sad, of its smile bereft. 

And echoing still, that moan of pain 
Is ever heard by the patient shore, 
That surf-beaten, storm-lashed, or still and lone 
Listens for one low murmuring tone, 
And waits the return of the wave evermore. 



3g SEA MOSS. 



WHY? 

TWO fleecy cloudlets on a twilight sky, 
Float slowly nearer in the deepening blue, 
Till both in one mysteriously are blent. 
Its edges tinged by sunset's crimson hue. 

Two ships sail proudly on a summer sea. 
And, side by side ride on at ease awhile. 

Then each to distant port sweeps on its way; 
One meets the gale, on one fair breezes smile. 

The happy cloud serenely floating high, 
Beholds the parting ships, and wonders. Why ? 
New Haven, March i, 1878. 



FULFILLING THE LAW. 39 



FULFILLING THE LAW. 

BY a hand unseen a seed was dropped 
In the rich, red mold of a human heart; 
As the new Hfe quickened, a thrill of pain 
Shattered the shell for the germ to start. 
Upward it pressed with inherent power, 

Upward through darkness, uncertain of right, 
Shooting its fibrous roots lower and lower. 
Reaching its tendrils to climb into light. 
Hopefully, painfully, 

Struggling slow 
Up through the mold 

Does the young plant grow. 

And the rich mold yields to the mystic force 
Which draws new strength from her quivering 
veins, 
Herself, at once, the sea and source. 

Of the rivers that water her numberless plains. 
But high in the dome that encircles her form 

A burning, pitiless sun shines down, 
And threatens with fervid heat to sere 
And blacken whatever it beams upon. 
Yet ever upward 

Into its light, 
Presses the germ 
That is hidden from sight. 



40 SEA MOSS. 

For it somehow feels that this burning Sun 

Though it threaten destruction is still its God; 
That the dull, blind pain of its struggling life, 

Will cease when it reaches above the sod; 
When it clambers out into light and air 

Where its stifled breath may be bold and free, 
The pale green germ by the sunlight kissed. 
May rise in its strength to a stately tree. 
Trustingly still 
Obeying the will 
And fulfilling the laws 
Of its Mighty Cause. 

For Nature imprints upon all she presents, 

The immutable law which an Infinite hand; 
With a pen dipped in life's glowing current has writ. 
With a power of decree that no force can withstand. 
The germ grows by law in the mold of the heart, 
And reaches by law toward its Sun-God above; 
By law all its blossoms of beauty must bloom 
And thus shall it ripen the fair fruit of Love. 
So, growing ever. 
Fainting, ah, never! 
Heart do thou still 
Thine own sweet will. 
New Haven, August io, 1876. 



SURRENDER. 41 



SURRENDER. 

YES, I believe. I see that evermore 
Love wins its way, each obstacle removes; 
Outreasons reason's self, and lifts the soul 

Up into clear, calm heights, out from the grooves 
Worn by the weary plodders in the way, 
Who, all unlovely and unloving, tread 
That deeply rutted path which leads them down 
To that dark death-in-life, where hope lies dead. 

Yes, I believe. I see that one by one 

Love claims his own, and lifts them to his rest, 
And all life's turmoil, sin, and strife go on; 

But in His circling arms they still are blest. 
Their fair bright faces beam with holy light, 

Their gentle hands reach down to give relief, 
Their gladdened voices, strong with hearty cheer, 

Call out: "Come hither, soul, and leave thy grief." 

Yes, I believe. "Help Thou mine unbelief ! ' ' 

Unfold the truth and I will make it mine. 
Pour the rich cordial in my waiting cup; 

Refresh my heart with this strength-giving wine; 
•' Help Thou mine unbelief," and I no more 

With dread and doubt will cloud the Heaven 
above. 
Dispel the darkness which enshrouds the light 

And teach me how to use this leaven of Love. 
PiTTSFiELD, September 15, 1881. 



42 SEA MOSS, 



COME THOU TO ME! 

COME thou to me! Oh, take me to thy heart, 
And let me weep these tears out on thy breast; 
Bend thy dear eyes on mine, and let me see 
The welcome, which shall bid my spirit rest. 

Fold me within thine arms; thy warm embrace 
Shall hide me from the bitter winds that sweep 

Across my path; and for one little hour, 

Let me, shut in from storm and tempest, sleep. 

My pillowed head no throb of pain could know; 

I would not even dream, so deep my rest; 
Hushed would every sigh, and every wish 

Be stilled, if only my soft pillow were thy breast. 

There is no other rest in all this world for me, 
Save those dear arms. There is no other place 

Of refuge from my grief; but Earth and Heaven 
Shall smile upon me still, while I can only look into 
thy face. 



A CAPTURED BUTTERFLY. 43 



A CAPTURED BUTTERFLY. 

SO my downy- winged beauty I've caught you at 
last, 
And now I shall hold you, quite lightly, but fast. 
But the price of your liberty, as you shall know. 
Is to tell where you came from, and whither you go. 

" I was hid in a chrysalis dark as a tomb. 
And dreaming of beauty, and light and bloom, 
Till the rapturous beat of my tiny heart. 
Burst the wonderful walls of my cell apart. 

"Then, I found the beauty, the light, the bloom, 
'Neath a silver-flecked arch in a spacious room, 
While low, sweet music, on soft summer air. 
Sang of love, and my vision of life was so fair. 

" So I caught the light on my fluttering wings; 
I tasted the honey each flower-cup swings; 
And the love-token sent from bower to bower 
I hastened to carry from flower to flower." 

But whither? "Oh, Stranger, the grasp of your 

hand 
Sends through me forebodings I don't understand; 
A shadow of death, like the curtain of night, 
Threatens all beauty, all life, all light. 



44 SEA MOSS, 

" My companions flit freely o'er garden and lawn, 
And your hand hurts me, Stranger; I long to be 

gone 
To find one who loves me through brief sunny hours 
Where we swing in the cradles of blossoming 

flowers. 

" In the fields over there, where the buttercup's gold 
Enriches the green, there are sweet stories told; 
Oh, swift to fulfill our bright hopes let me fly 
To live out my full life in joy, e'er I die! " 



EDITH. 45 



EDITH. 

KISS me, my loved one! Close against my cheek 
Rest your red lips, warm with their fresh, 
young life. 
Tell me you love me, I am worn and weak; 
Tired with life's struggle. Yet, kiss me, sweet. 
Your breath shall be a healing balm. 
I shall grow braver, truer, loving thee, 
And feel my spirit's turbulence grow calm. 

Kiss me, then, rest your sunny head upon my heart, 

I never am too tired to hold it there 

My sweet one; loving is an art 

Not all excel in; shall we not, then, dare 

To think our love is brightest, purest, best. 

Since, dear, it brings such rest ? 

Stay, darling, stay. I cannot let you go. 

Fold down your lashes o'er those beaming eyes; 

How dear this trust has made thee! 

Now, why that look of wonder and surprise ? 

Is it not faith that saves, and faith 

That leads to work ? The mightiest deeds 

Are done through loving trust. 

The world's 
Deep graves give up their dead to satisfy 
Their needs whose love brooks no denial. 
And I must live for thee. Kiss me, dear, then sleep! 
May 26, 1884, 



46 SEA MOSS. 



LOVE. 

AS changeful as the summer sky is Love. 
Yesterday, I saw him decked in gold and red. 
He proudly plumed his wings, and gaily 
Sent his arrows into space. To-day he sits 
All pale and sad, with ashes on his brow, 
And tears like rain are falling o'er his face. 
Oh, Love! dear Love! why art thou weeping here? 
Surely not all thine arrows missed. 
Thou king of archers? "Ah! No," said he, "I 

weep 
Because I see, the wounds my arrows make 
So fast find cure. I grieve because these mortals 
Will not learn to hold as treasure trove 
My feathered shafts. See how they pluck them out. 
And cast them down, then turn them to their 
Selfish joys again. All day I pulled my bow 
But every soul had on a mail of gold. 
I wounded only one poor heart, alas, I fear 
My occupation's lost ! " But even while the 'plaint 
Still stirred the air, there came a radiant girl. 
Bringing a tribute to this woeful god. 
"Oh, Love, sweet Love," she said, "lift up thy 

head; 
The world is not quite lost; one joy-tipped dart 
Found lodgment in a heart that will be true — 
Oh, Love, sweet Love, put on thy smiles again." 
May, 1884. 



EVOLUTION, . 47 



EVOLUTION. 

A LITTLE wave of motion 
In a protoplasmic speck; 
More pronounced the gentle action, 

And a tiny darkening fleck 
Is sending forth fibrillae ; 

Upward, downward now they go, 
Then a surer, stronger, throbbing; 

Ryhthmic pulses and a flow 
Of faint red color, tinging 

Each thread with a glow 
Born of a divine imputation 

Called a heart's-beat now. 

What attraction in the motion! 

How from earth and sea and sky. 
Speed the atoms towards its center, 

Till in massive strength they lie 
Held by the supreme cohesion 

Of the cogent power, until 
It evolves, by simple rhythm, 

Forces mightier, stronger still, 
Which compel another tribute. 

From the earth-embracing air, — 
Inspiration, the inbreathing 

Of a finer atmosphere. 

Birth of Pain! This sentient being 
Soon shall learn what thou canst teach, 



48 SEA MOSS. 

For that restless, tireless organ, 

Thou shalt find a way to reach. 
Changing its impassive action 

To a goaded, quivering flight; 
Or, as with a lance-thrust checking 

Each pulsation with affright, 
Joy must also give its lessons. 

Sweeping music o'er the strings, 
In the sweet, sad notes, affection 

Softly by its cradle sings; 
While its rich, red current going 

Swift to meet life's ambient source, 
Still absorbing, still o'erflowing 

Till, within its chosen course 
Pain, with Joy and sweet affection 

In a union strong fulfill 
An inherent compact. 

Bringing forth a Will ! 

Do the skies sing rapturous paeans ? 

Does the universe rejoice ? 
He believes it, this strange being, 

Giving utterance now to choice. 
Good and evil have existence; 

These two he must keep apart; 
'Tis a truth, by inspiration 

Carried to that throbbing heart. 
Now, he girds him for a battle; 

Fierce the contest is, and long; 
Clashing through all realms and stations 

Now with weeping, now with song. 

Up he climbs to loftier summits, 
Rarer still the air inbreathed, 



EVOLUTION. 49 

Larger, stronger grow the heart-beats; 

And, behold, his sword is sheathed. 
While uplifted hands plead dumbly. 

Outstretched toward a broo.ding Good. 
Then, in tender benediction. 

Bends he, where he proudly stood. 

Ever keeps the rhythmic motion. 

Pulsing in his swelling breast; 
Beating, beating, while he gazes 

Northward, southward, east and west, 
Upward into depths of azure. 

Downward into fires below. 
Till he sees through all the oneness. 

And his being thrills aglow 
With a newer inspiration; 

Light ineffable, in beams 
Of refulgent glory, show him 

Realized his fairest dreams; 
While the dull insensate atoms 

Which the lesser life below. 
Could not bring within its circle, 

Now, the full attraction know, 
Of the wave of Life, that Love 

Set in motion, in an atom, long ago. 

Just a little wave of motion; 

Now, a heart-beat, full and free. 
Pulsing, throbbing, aching. Loving, 
Till its rhythm makes the music of Eternity. 
February i, 1889, 



50 SEA MOSS. 



A LOVE STORY. 

Told a la Technique. 

HE had a chair in the college; 
She was a student there. 
He gave fine clinical lectures, 

And demonstrated with care. 
She heard with attentive interest, 

Answered well at the "quiz," 
Criticised all conclusions, 

Never was known to ' ' fizz. ' ' 
One day, at the surgical clinic, 

She was asked a prognosis to give. 
In a case of severe traumatopyra; 

She decided the patient would live. 
Because the febris traumatic 

Had taken no pysemic form. 
No purulent infiltration, 

Impended to cause alarm. 
She asserted the areola membrane 

Was still intact and firm. 
And laudable suppuration 

Was all that she could discern. 
His levator palpebrae superioris. 

And corrugator superciHi 
Arched, in astonished admiration 

At her charmingly learned reply. 
Her condition became hypersemic; 

Congestion of the capillaries flushed 



A LOVE STORY. 51 

The entire facial epidermis, 

And she instantly her lingual organ hushed. 
Then, a rapid cardiac impulsion. 

And nervous irritation supervened, 
To conceal which, upon her palmar surface 

She immediately her bending forehead leaned 
With a graceful pretence of re-collecting 

The flying thoughts within her fertile brain. 
Then, a little bit of hauteur affecting, 

Composed herself to answer once again. 

But the nervous irritation seemed contagious. 

The Professor from the subject quickly turned 
To one that appeared to be irrelevant : 

" How is inflammatiuncula discerned ? " 
On the instant her obicularis oris 

Its antagonistic principle displayed. 
Holding rigid the relaxing facial muscles. 

Lest the tendency to risis be betrayed. 
After this that grave Professor 

Kept the student in his eye, 
Till his glances made her furious; 

Till they caused her many a sigh. 
For the intercostal muscles 

And diaphragm combined 
To effect a perfect equipoise 

'Twixt her physique and mind. 
Still the sense of weight oppressed her, 

And, at length, the sessions through, 
She prepared for her vacation. 

Having heard the last " Adieu," 
When the grave Professor asked her. 

Bending low to take her books, 
To be seated for one moment 



52 SEA MOSS, 

In the quietest of nooks. 
"For," said he, "there are some symptoms 

In a case I have in hand, 
I should like to place before you; 

Can I make you understand ? 
'Tis a case of cardiac lesion, 

And involves a patient's life. 
Such, at least, is my prognosis, 

What he needs, is, — just a wife. 
He will live if only you 

Can prevent a final rupture; 
Now, please say : What can you do ? " 

Sympathetic palpitation 
Made her tremulous and weak, 

While a single osculare 
He imprinted on her cheek. 

This proved quite an anaesthetic, 
And within that quiet nook, 

For a brief and happy moment, 
Every woe the world forsook; 

And she promised, unreserving. 
To his solar spectrum be, 

Form his spiritual cardiac plexus, 
Reinforce his brave M. D. 



QUEEN VASHTI. 53 



QUEEN VASHTI. 

THE palace gleamed with light of perfumed 
lamps, 
While gold and sheen of many colors shone 
In sumptuous hangings. A banquet, spread 
On costliest service, graced the royal board, 
With well-baked meats and rare and luscious fruits 
And wines sparkling with the bright sunshine still 
Lingering in their rich, red and amber hues. 
Ahasuerus sat merry with his lords. 
The wine's insidious strength dethroning him, 
Reigned in his stead. Under its wild sway 
He let the sceptre of his reason fall, while 
With a merry madness he hailed Wine 
As monarch of the feast. 

Fair Queen Vashti, 
With all her maiden train this night, also 
Held festival. Her palace halls were gay 
And redolent with perfumes. The soft lights 
Caressingly revealed her peerless charms. 
The pure, clear texture of her olive skin, 
The tender glow in her dark lustrous eyes, 
The delicate contour of her ripe lips 
Parted in smiles o'er teeth like dainty pearls. 
Made up a picture for a poet's dream; 
But the sweet grace with which she moved 
Enhanced each charm. In modest conscious power 
She won the maidens' hearts, subduing even 
The King, to whom her gracious yielding was 



54 SEA MOSS. 

As incense to a god. For him 

She wore her brightest robes, her sweetest smiles, 

Giving him homage which she felt his due. 

But even while luxuriously at ease, 

Surrounded by her maidens, sat the Queen, 

The curtains swept aside, and there appeared. 

Straight from the King, a messenger, who 

Bade Queen Vashti come in unveiled loveliness 

Before the court. The King had sworn his Queen 

In beauty was supreme throughout the East. 

His lords were eager he should prove the truth, 

And waited to behold the fairest face 

In all the Orient. Deep silence fell 

Within the banquet hall. Queen Vashti's graceful 

head 
Drooped low upon her breast; her sad eyes 
Rested on the ground a moment, only one; 
Then, in her firm but gentle tones she bade 
The messenger return unto the King. 
" Go, tell the King I cannot come," she said; 
"He knows it is not meet I should appear 
Unveiled before his lords. It is my joy 
That I am beautiful, when at my feet he sits. 
But I am fair for him alone. 
He is my husband, I his Queen, his wife; 
I dare not so demean my womanhood. 
And thus become a by- word and a jest." 
That King who wore Ahasuems' crown 
Was impotent with rage, and swore with oaths. 
Foolish and loud. Queen Vashti should not so 
Defy his wish, but she should learn his will 
Was law; to be by her, therefore, obeyed. 
His courtiers, flattering still his vanity. 
Declared their Avives would follow Vashti's course, 



QUEEN VASHTI. 55 

And thus connubial strife fill every- house. 
Was she fit consort for so wise a King ? 
Let her descend from her proud place and feel 
The power so willfully defied. Let 
Some fair maid be found whose will can yield 
To high authority sit at thy side, 
A Queen indeed. And the King said, " Amen." 
Then Vashti knew the sharpness of the truth, 
That, ever, ' ' Virtue is its own reward. ' ' 
Stung by the rude reproach, suffering but strong. 
She left the King's domain, disgraced, discrowned. 
Oh, if her vision might have pierced 
Through the dark vista of the coming years, 
I think her eyes had found no room for tears, 
Nor need her heart have felt one jealous throb. 
When that young, simple Hebrew girl, whose heart 
Was with her people, found favor with the King, 
And saved her wretched kinsfolk from the sword. 
For the brave modesty of the fair Queen 
Has won a crown whose lustre brightens 
As the ages roll. And where Queen Vashti 
Is spoken, it becomes a synonym 
Of womanly reserve and dignity. 
PiTTSFiELD, Mass., December 14, 1880. 



56 SEA MOSS. 



FANCY FREE. 

WHICH is the brightest flower you have seen ? 
Tell me, oh, tell me, my king, my king! 
Has the fair rose with her blushing face 
Won from you tribute to regal grace ? 

Has the stately lily, so pure and white, 

Touched thee with sceptre and called thee knight ? 

Or, can the bloom of the daffodil 

Hold thee, and charm thee, despite thy will ? 

Tell me, oh, tell me, my king, my king ! 
Which is loveliest flower you have seen ? 

* * ^ * * * * *'X- 

Lady, the gardens of earth are fair, 
Roses and lilies bloom everywhere; 
They blush and pale in the golden light. 
Each is lovely and all are bright. 

The red rose blushes, the white rose shines. 
They're fit for garlands or fit for shrines; 
The beauty and brightness of each fair flower, 
Tempts me to dream in her summer bower. 

I sigh when the violet, purple in hue, 
Hid in the grasses and wet with dew 
Sends its sweet perfume afloat on the air; 
I linger and live in a transport there. 



FANCY FREE. 57 

The stately lily, so pure, so white, 
Finds ever in me a loyal knight; 
While the yellow bloom of the daffodil 
Tangles the web of my fancy still ! 

But which is the brightest, I cannot see, 
For, oh, lovely lady, they're all fair to me! 



58 SEA MOSS. 



WORSHIP. 

A WISH from the Infinite Will sped forth, 
Sparkled a moment in a woman's eyes, 
Met answering glance from eyes she loved. 
Then slept as a memory within her breast. 
Nourished from the fountain of her heart, 
It fed upon her life, till one proud day 
It blossomed in a perfect human flower 
Nestling in pale, pink loveliness against her bosom. 
A mother's eyes glowing with tender love 
Grow clearer visioned, till awe-hushed she sees 
In this pink flower a holy thought of God 
Enshrined that she may worship, and her soul 
Kneels at the altar, blest and satisfied. 
June 25, 1880. 



EARTH'S BLESSED ONES. 59 



EARTH'S BLESSED ONES. 

THOSE faithful, patient souls, serene and sweet, 
Who, in humility, do wait on Truth, 
Counting no price too high, no sacrifice 
Too great, to make for its dear sake. 
Stooping to learn the smallest fact, they are 
Repaid for toil, for weariness, for pain. 
The blessed mourn, yet Truth, the Comforter, 
Doth comfort them; for, in its light, they see 
In Nature's laws, best evidence that God 
Is Love, and strive with mighty faith 
To find the straightest paths to perfectness. 
All in the earth is theirs, and Good and 111, 
Serve but to make them truer to their tmst; 
While, pure in heart, they see God's face unveiled; 
His thought revealed, on heights, in depths, where 

only 
Fearless souls may dare for Truth to seek. 
These walk alike unflinching through the fire, 
Or, bravely ride the swelling, boisterous flood 
To place a beacon on Truth's holy hill 
That light may shine for poor humanity. 
Struggling below in darkness and distress. 
Though battle-scarred, and striped with many 

stripes, 
These souls rejoice if they but reach the goal. 
And barely falter up its steeps, and fire 
One torch, e'er overcome by the deep sleep 
God's mercy gives to His beloved. Even 



6o SEA MOSS. 

Though they know their tiny flame serves but to 

make 
The darkness darker seem, till, up the steep. 
Torch after torch is borne, and kept alight 
Until commingled they shall illumine Heaven, 
And send their radiance on the Earth beneath. 
When all humanity at last shall see 
The golden links of Life that closely bind 
Each human heart to heart, and all to God. 
March 22, 1879. 



PROMISES. 6i 



PROMISES. 

WHEN the yellow leaf falls;— 
Well, what then? 
Will the summer never 
Come again? 

Just beneath that leaf's stem, 

On the tree; 
Is a bud enfolded, 

You may see. 

When the sweet-voiced songsters 

Fly away, 
Will they out of hearing 

Ever stay ? 

Summer birds and flowers 
Each to each belong; 

Where the sun shines brighter, 
There is song. 

When the river's ice-bound, 

Strong and deep; 
E'er its mighty silence. 

Will it keep ? 

Underneath the ice-chain, 

Pure and warm. 
Still the river courses; 

Strongly calm. 



62 SEA MOSS. 

When the shadows deepen, 

In the soul, 
Must heartache and sorrow 

Life control ? 

Even Light's refraction 
Must be proven. 

Would we see its beauties 
Interwoven ? 

Broken lives some whole life 

Prophecy; 
We shall know its fullness, 

By and bye ! 
March 29, 1879. 



ENCOURAGEMENT. 63 



ENCOURAGEMENT. 

UP, soul ! Be not disheartened ! 
Faint not, nor fear distress; 
This failure but the clearer shows 
The way toward success. 

The path which thou hast chosen, 

Is full of pits and snares. 
The fall awakes thy vigilance; 

Defeat, all unawares, 

Had met thee later on the way, 

But for this blessed fate. 
Through which thou 'rt taught humility, 

E'er yet it is too late. 

Faint not! Be not disheartened ! 

From failure wrest success. 
Make frowning Fortune smile on thee 

By thine on cheerfulness. 

Blame thy shortsightedness or pride, 

If any censure fall; 
Or, what is best, waste not the time 

In mourning o'er it all. 

Thou art not wounded mortally, 

Thank Fortune for thy life, 
And keep the favor she has shown 

By winning in the strife. 



64 SEA MOSS, 

For, if thy feet had felt no thorns, 

Where roses paved the way; 
Would Life's great truths have touched thee 

As they have done to-day ? 

If 'midst the summer verdure fair. 

No hidden serpent coiled 
And threatening, raised his hooded head, 

The future had been foiled 

Of true success; for, only he 

Who overcomes, succeeds. 
By falls and failures, man alone 

Discovers what he needs. 

As darkness alternates with light; 

As sorrow shares with joy; 
So gold, refined and utilized. 

Is tempered with alloy. 

January 28, 1880. 



OUR HERITAGE. 65 



OUR HERITAGE. 

DAME Nature surrounds us 
With all that is fair, 
And bids us rejoice 
In her exquisite care. 

In her lap there are roses, 

But each has a thorn; 
We choose 'twixt the two, 

And weave us our crown. 

Deep in her fair bosom 

Are hidden her gems; 
She smiles as we set them, 

"The world's diadems." 

Discover her secrets. 

Unfold each wise plan, 
And her mirror reflects thee, 

Perfected, O, Man! 

For thou art endowed 
With the key to the whole 

Of this infinite scheme, 
By the birth of thy soul. 

Thou mayst bridge the deep chasm, 

'Twixt present and past. 
And rest on the future 

With infinite trust. 



66 SEA MOSS. 

May bind in one sheaf 
Thy rich gleanings of Time 

And bearing thy burden, 
Still upward may climb, 

Till the heights where repose 
Wisdom only can give. 

Are reached; and we find 
What the life means we live. 



TO-DAY, 67 



TO-DAY. 

NOW is the fullness of the perfect season! 
This is the day holding all days in one. 
The present hour enfolds both faith and reason 
In its embrace, claiming a victory won. 

The ache of hearts to-day is spent in healing; 

The joys of life increase as it holds sway; 
The times which hitherto seemed void of feeling 

Are throbbing as a human pulse to-day. 

The Life which wraps the earth, a crimsoil ocean, 
With ebb and flow, laps it on every side. 

And surges with its ever-restless motion, 
Claiming its own, to with its own abide. 

Each noble deed to-day bears on its bosom, 
Was yesterday a yearning in some breast, 

Responding to that longing for the fusion 
Of good with good, throughout all life possessed. 

To-day has clouds, but who would miss the wonder ? 

The sunshine colors them with rosy light. 
To-day has storms, the snow-flake, or the thunder, 

Awakens us to visions of God's might. 

That hearts have ached, must ache, e'er reason 
teaches 
Its lessons of the best, the highest skill 



68 SEA MOSS, 

To-day has learned, and in its turn it preaches 
A quick submission to a Mighty Will. 

To-day, to-day a gladdening earth rejoices 
And Life drinks deeper of the crimson flood; 

While what seemed ill in yesterday, all voices 
Within its soul, to-day declares was good. 

The glorious Past sends all its beams to brighten 
The radiant splendor of this peerless shine; 

And the fair Sun of Righteousness shall lighten 
The East and West with Reason's rays divine. 

Christmas, 1880. 



BARREN DAYS. 69 



BARREN DAYS. 

SING not of barren days! The fruitful Earth 
Responds to all sweet influence, quick and well; 
The summer showers, the winter snows, 
Ne'er fall in vain. So, earnest, loving toil. 
Meets its reward. Does thy one talent lie 
Shut out from enterprise ? O, not for love, 
Then, friend, hast thou the Master served. 

For Love 
Would lay its only treasure at His feet 
Nor think of selfish gain. The waning day 
Would be replete with joy that earth had power 
To lend thee aught to give; freely to give thine all. 
The fruits that others taste 
Are not for thee. The flowers that others wear 
For thee bloom not, unless thy gracious heart 
Glows with reflected warmth, and finds its joy 
In others' bliss. Thus is our bright crown woven; 
Not what we hold, but what we give is ours! 
A perfect life is made by perfect love; 
And Earth's warm bosom thrills with eagerness 
To give thee all she hath; but while so close 
Thou dost her treasures hold within thy heart. 
Eager to bargain gold for so much gold; 
She will not take thy mete, and barren days 
Must be thy lot, till some bright gleam reveals 
To thy lone soul this mystery of bliss. 
PiTTSFiELD, March 26, 1881. 



70 SEA MOSS. 



IN MEMORIAM. 

J. A. G. 

CONSIGNED to earth! The last sad rite is o'er! 
The solemn bells at length have ceased to toll. 
The stricken Nation sits with bended head, 
For still reverberating through its soul, 
Are mournful echoes of the sad bells' chime, 
And only can the healing hand of Time 
Reach down to comfort us. 

That great, calm soul, has found the Infinite; 
The brave, true heart that only sought His will 
And all our Nation's good, has ceased to beat. 
Its work is done. The finite hand is still. 
But is he dead, he whom the Nation weeps ? 
Be still, and watch, ye sufferers! He but sleeps; 
Time's hand will comfort us. 

For he has left, as priceless legacy, 
A spotless fame, a tender love, and pure; 
A deep devotion to a noble cause; 
Undying faith that Right shall still endure; 
And even though patience, hope and courage lie 
Bereft of strength and only wait to die, 
Knows Time shall comfort! 

Oh, from those heights beyond our ken, 
To which thine eagle soul has flown, 



IN MEMORIAM. 71 

Canst thou look back to haunts of men 
And know us, as we would be known ? 
Then shalt thou see how deep our love 
For thee and those thy heart loved best, 
Our earnest lives would gladly prove 
The Nation honors thy bequest. 

From the dim future comes a potent voice, 
"The Nation shall not cry to God in vain. 
He is not dead who seems to sleep in death; 
I called him, and he came, that he might reign 
In grander state. The little pomp below 
Was not for such as he. 'Tis empty show. 
Time's hand shall comfort thee! " 
September 27, 1881. 



72 SEA MOSS. 



RENUNCIATION. 

THE Dear Christ met, in his pilgrimage 
Through the thronged highway of Earth, 
A graceful youth, whose courtliness 
Betokened a princely birth. 

From eye to eye a flashing glance 

Betrayed the other's thought, 
And the strong, young soul with royal powers. 

Light from the Master sought. 

"What shall I do;" was his earnest quest, 

"The Eternal Life to win ? " 
"Keep God's commands," the Christ replied, 

"Live on the Earth without sin." 

"This have I tried from my earliest youth, 
But a shadow follows me near, 
Dogging my steps through days and nights 
Till my soul is rent with fear. ' ' 

The Master's eyes, with gracious love, 

Searching his anxious face, 
Faithfully fathomed his inmost thoughts, 

And answered with tenderness. 

"Wilt thou be perfect? O, brave young soul ! 
But one path waits for thee; 



RENUNCIA riON. 7 

Thy riches encumber, thy state enthralls, 
Leave them, and follow Me. 

" I am the pathway into the light; 
To Me hath our Father given, 
To teach men knowledge of perfect life, 
On Earth, as it is in Heaven. 

"Come, I will lead thee into His rest, 
And sin shall tempt no more, 
And thou shalt open Life's pearly gates. 
And cross its threshold o'er. 

' ' Through it the rhythmic, peaceful flow 
Of harmonies sublime, 
Shall quicken thy spirit and feed thy soul 
Through this short reign of Time. 

"There in the heart of an Infinite Love 
Shall thy soul and mind find rest; 
Thy loving labor enrich thy life. 
With treasure we learn is best. ' ' 

The face of the brave young man grew pale. 

Could he pass the stern ordeal ? 
From those searching glances he turned away 

With sorrow deep and real. 

* ' I am not brave to drink this cup. 
Though it be given to me;" 
And the Master, knowing his humble heart, 
Loved him most tenderly. 
PiTTSFiELD, Mass., April 27, 1882. 
F 



5^4 SEA MOSS, 



DIVINATION. 

THE tides of life thro' the great city pour 
With ceaseless ebb and flow, until the light 
Fades with the sun's decline, aye, even then, 
Do car, and wheel, and hoof-beat jar the night. 
With constant hum and roar. 

Silent, I sit apart, yet feel within my breast 
The throbbing pulses, answering other hearts 

Beating with ever-changing joy or grief. 
Thro' all the city's avenues and marts, 
With never pause nor rest. 

The longed-for boon, still sought but never found. 
Or, found too late, by hands too weak to hold; 

While sordid aims usurp the throne of Right 
And Love's mis-named; honor is bought and sold. 
And Virtue goes uncrowned. 

Within, without, a restless spirit weaves 
This tangled skein, impatient of repose; 

Toiling incessant to feed torturing fires 
Which fade at length to flickering ember glows, 
And which at last it leaves. 

Yet still my heart, thro' all this rush and flood. 

This noise and turmoil, agony and bliss. 
Which makes the city's sounds a song or wail, 



DIVINATION. 75 

Feels that above, beneath, and twined with this, 
Are silver chords of Good 

That harmonize beyond our human sense. 

In that deep silence, when Eternal peace. 
Infinite, illimitable perfectness. 
Unites all sounds, and all Earth's discords cease - 
In God's Omnipotence! 
Philadelphia, November 5, 1882. 



76 SEA MOSS. 



LEAVES. 

RICH in the autumn light 
The green, the gold and red, 
Flash, dance, and pass from sight 
To sleep in their snowy bed. 

Who knows what dreams they dream. 
Who knows what whispers they hear. 

As the winds sweep over their couch 
With its messages dread or dear ? 

Who knows if they be not glad, 
That they are leaves, not flowers, 

That they may be shadow and rest 
In the summer's wearying hours ? 

Who knows their blush is not born 
Of gladness they feel in their veins. 

That love may find shelter from storms 
Or that beauty by being reigns; 

Reigns, royally, from her throne, 
Whatever her scepter may be; 

A flower with luster, and rare perfume, 
Or, only a leaf on a tree ? 



3/V FRIEND. 77 



MY FRIEND. 

FROM all sweet, warm and loving hearts, 
From all pure, lofty souls and royal minds, 
My own has singled thine, O, Friend most dear! 
It sets thee high above its trivial loves, 
And pays its homage with devotion true 
To all that's sweetest, fairest, noblest, best, 
And only asks to be allowed its worship! 
Craves thy benignant smile and kindly glance, 
Thy hand in gentle benediction raised. 
Seems it so strange to thee, thou spirit meek, 
That one should seek such influence from thee. 
Whose footsteps oft have faltered in the way; 
Whose heart has felt its dire distress and need, 
Its love unsatisfied; disappointment's cross 
Press with its heaviest weight on shoulders 
Burdened to their utmost with the strain ? 
I'll tell thee, dear, the secret. 'Tis because 
Beneath all this, I see unconquered good 
Still reigning in thy soul. Unconquered kindness 
Thrilling all thy words. I know that Wisdom 
Cannot claim her throne, until she shares with Love 
Each laurel leaf; dips his arrow-points for pens 
Into the ink with which she writes her edicts. 
But when she speaks through thee, my hope is 

strong, 
My trust more patient, my desires more pure. 
An undertone through all thy utterance swells 
By which my spirit learns that Love and Wisdom 



78 SEA MOSS. 

Are at one within thy heart; and if thy feet 
Keep not their tread through human weakness, 
My homage shall not fail. I have not given 
My fealty to the clay, which needs must crumble, 
But to the soul, that shapes its destiny 
And makes it, for a time, a monarch's throne! 

June 9, 1886. 



IN PAR T ONL Y. 79 



IN PART ONLY. 



I Corinthians, xiii. 10. 



APART of it all is heartache! 
The drops we know as tears 
Falling refract the pure, white light, 

Till the broken ray appears 
Tinted with flaming colors, 

Caught in the meshes of pain, 
While we gaze dim-eyed to the future, 
From the sunshine that scatters the rain. 

And part of it all are the shadows. 

Falling 'twixt hearts that love. 
Darkening the skies of affection, 

Hiding the spirit that moves 
To those actions we call our duties, 

Those hardest of tasks to fulfill, 
By the flickering lights of the gloaming 

Where goblins are haunting us still. 

And part of it is Love's dying, slain 

So oft by his own dear hand. 
While the gleam of cerements white and chill 

Strike awe through his silent land. 
Yet the white light still keeps shining 

Though rain and the shadows fall, 
And Love smiles in the resurrection, 

For He shall endure through all. 



8o SJSA MOSS. 

His promise shines in the raindrop 

Alight with the flame of Hope; 
The power that fashioned the shadows 

Has infinity for its scope. 
And Love is the only Perfect; 

Yet that which is Perfect shall come, 
And shall we not see how the parts fit true 

When the Glorious Whole is done ? 
June 23, 1887. 



THE UNHONORED PROPHET. 8i 



THE UNHONORED PROPHET. 

WHY does his country leave unloved thro' life, 
This man whom other lands accord applause ? 
These, far off, see his few heroic deeds. 
They hear some startling words thrill in their ears, 
And straight their veins seem filled with fire. 
Yet do the hearts beating against his own, 
The hands that feel the grip of his rough clasp. 
Give him scant welcome, or, at the best, 
"Damn with faint praise" his vigorous words. 

Have we not met this Prophet in our homes ? 

Has he not eaten at our board, and slept 

Beneath our roof, and told us to our face 

Our bread was chaff, that our best beds were hard ? 

That, bye and bye, when that should come 

Of which he prophesied, good bread, far better 

beds, 
Should make a wiser people happier far ? 

And when we gazed upon his unkempt hair. 
Beheld the dust on his unsandeled feet; 
While listening to his protest 'gainst the bath 
As idle and luxurious waste of power; 
Saw his curled lip and frowning brow 
Turned on our Venus or our Belvedere, 
Protesting that we worship at unworthy shrines, 
And are at best, but ignorant idolaters 
Can we remember, in the pain that stings 



82 SEA MOSS. 

Unjustly, that but a while ago 

This caustic tongue gave utterance to truth, 

Which will re-echo through all time; 

And time, that tests all truth, will give them weight 

When he whose rude lips spoke them 

Shall have turned to dust ? 

Our hurt 
Is in the Present. We do know, that we, 
As well as he, can think great thoughts; 
That even our kindly care for him, 
If he had willed, had helped to make 
His memory pleasant when he went his way. 

We've lived with him; and well we know 
That this whole saint is a whole sinner, too. 
With such a vicious way of doing well 
That he can rather make us choose do ill 
Than be like him, if there were room for choice; 
And it were ill to choose to be courteous. 
Graceful, kindly, mild, patient with Folly; 
Seeing need even to smile with her 
Since she comes as guest; and we fain 
Would feel our kinship with the frailest life, 
Believing that to be the dearest tie 
Binding our hearts to Earth. 

Repent, we say, 
Of what? Our Loves? Why, they're the best we 

know! 
Be cleansed ! Our frailties put away! 
Why, Prophet, we have given you our best, 
Our rarest perfumes at your service laid; 
We would have helped untangle your untidy locks. 
Bathed you in limpid, cleansing floods, 
But you would none of such kind service! 



THE UNHONORED PROPHET. 83 

Yet, say to us, be pure! Oh, go thy way! 
We cannot understand, and do not Hke 
The odor of thy long-worn robes. We cannot, 
While thou art so close, hold thee at thy full value. 
Some far time, when space has her enchantment 
Lent, and when the artist Years shall paint 
Thy picture on their canvas; thy tatters, 
Picturesque, shall touch our hearts. 
And we shall wish, with our full human kindness, 
We could have loved thee, in thine own, despite; 
Wish we might have peered beneath the trammels 
Into that soul beneath; felt glad response 
To all its yearnings. But until then our hearts 
Can feel no need which thou canst satisfy 
Except thou first submit thyself Xo thy own law 
And put away thy dross which hides thy gold. 
February 24, 1880. 



84 SEA MOSS. 



NOT BY BP.EAD ALONE. 

HE knows thy need. Through thy Hfe's pulsing 
tides 
He hears the beating of thy hungry heart. 
The thought thy lips dare not an utterance give 
He fathoms, fans, and feeds the flame His love 
Has kindled in thy breast, until its strength 
Consumes all dross of being, and thy spirit, pure, 
Reflects His image in its yearning love. 

He knows thy need, yet, not by bread alone 

Shalt thou be fed. He offers thee a richer boon. 

His word is life. Through all the vaults and mines, 

Those laboratories in the under world. 

Where, from the inanimate. His chemistry 

Combines the inert atoms into living forms. 

He speaks to thee; unfolds beneath thy gaze 

The secret of thy kinship with all life. 

While from above, through the vast silences, 

Where whirling worlds, embosomed in blue deeps 

Of space illimitable, speed to some end 

His will pronounces good. His voice is heard 

Pervading all the stillness; He has attuned 

Thy soul to feel divinest harmonies. 

Till drinking in sweet music, it becomes entranced. 

He knows thy need. When that sharp agony, 
The conscious dissolution of strong ties, 
Which made thy sentient life a treasure-house 



NOT BY BREAD ALONE. 85 

Of royal loves, reveals that mystery 
Of separateness, and loneliness 
Enshrouds thee in darkness, doubt and grief, 
His nearness thrills thy vibrant heart-strings 
Until joy wakes anew, and Peace pours forth 
Deeper and truer notes in its exultant praise. 

He knows thy need, thine earth-born weakness, 
And thy heaven-born strength. He writes His law 
In both, and sends thee, thus equipped and girded. 
To that task, encompassed only by the eternal life, 
Full knowledge of thyself, and likeness unto Him 
Who call thee child. 

From His great storehouse 
Thou shalt be supplied, nor know a want 
His Love may not relieve, even though 
Thy flesh within the furnace fires of pain 
Should be consumed, or be devoured by 
Passion's hungry wolves; He will not leave thee. 
For He knows thy need. 
September 12, 1888. 



86 SEA MOSS. 



''TRUST IN ME." 

RINGING through the years we've heard the 
adage 
Telling us, ' ' God helps who helps himself. ' ' 
But the mocking present ever answers, 
Repeating hke repeating an echo, "Helps him- 
self!" 

When the days unfold their heavy burden. 
And the nights in darkness close around, 

When deep pitfalls gape, and mountain summits 
Are goals to which our way-worn feet are bound; 

When some blinding, lightning-flash of sorrow, 
Drenches us in its flooding rain of tears; 

While the shuddering, fearful heart is trembHng 
With its dread of the coming days and years; 

When no human voice can e'er avail to quiet 
The tempest in the spirit's surging deeps, 

As we're fainting with life's burden and its longing. 
O'er the angry waves a solemn silence creeps; 

While from within that stillness with a sweetness 
Like music from some far-off melody, 

Comes a message to the falling, maimed and help- 
less, 
" I have chosen thee this burden, 'Trust in Me,' 



" TRUST IN ME.'' 87 

*' Step by step I've ever led thee forward, 
Strongest held thee where the way was hard, 

Bore thy burdens when they grew for thee too heavy 
And I still thy perfect safety guard. 

" Help thyself ! My child, how proud thy weakness! 

This thy greatest help: impHcit trust in Me. 
Rest thou here, and rise o'er life triumphant 

To that glory which is still in store for thee. ' ' 

May 4, 1889. 



SEA MOSS. 



SMALL DUTIES. 

WHAT romance, what poetry is there 
In the strife with "the wolf at the door ? " 
In the thousand and one petty trials 
That cannot be gilded o'er? 

What romance, what poetry is there, 

In the ache of the back and brain, 
That comes in the hourly struggle, 

A simple subsistence to gain ? 

Where shall we look for the "sweetness 

And light " the poet sings ? 
When the bread is burned and bitter 

And a booming fog-bell rings 

Through the dank and deepening darkness, 

While anchored amid the gloom 
We feel our life-ship rocking 

Above a hungry tomb, 

" Let each one bend to his duty, 

Be it never so irksome or small, ' ' 
Is the call of each man to his fellow, 

" And the best must be gained for all. " 

Yet ever we sigh, is it worth it. 

This ache of the back and the brain, 

Just for the sake of our duty, 

And to simple existence maintain ? 



SMALL DUTIES. 

Deep in the pulses of Nature, 

Down in the heart of the world, 
Throbs ever the hope and the promise 

That small daily duty impearled; 

Set round with a loving endeavor, 
Is the passport, revealing the right 

To be held in eternal remembrance. 
And ushered at last into light. 

That the waves engulfing the sailor, 
But speed him more quickly to shore, 

Where they find him employed at his bravest, 
Forgetful his own life to store. 



Life lived for love of the neighbor; 

Death faced for a duty, though small; 
Makes living or d)dng a poem, 

And romance uplifting us all. 

April 17, 1890. 



LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 



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